His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Faris Al Mazrouei, the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, led the UAE delegation at the 23rd meeting of the Ministers responsible for housing from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which took place yesterday in Kuwait City. The meeting brought together housing ministers from the member states along with representatives from the GCC General Secretariat.
During the session, Al Mazrouei emphasized the UAE leadership’s commitment to fostering and enhancing cooperative efforts within the GCC, particularly in the housing sector, which is crucial for ensuring social stability and sustainable development. He praised the advancements made in this vital area of cooperation and expressed the UAE’s eagerness to continue collaboration and support initiatives aimed at improving living standards and promoting integrated urban development.
He highlighted that the UAE’s leadership places significant importance on the housing sector, recognizing it as a key strategic priority to improve quality of life and foster family and social stability. The country continues to develop innovative housing programs and initiatives that meet citizens’ needs, adhering to the highest quality and sustainability standards, in line with the “We Are the Emirates 2031” vision.
Al Mazrouei further clarified that the UAE’s endeavors in the housing sector directly align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11, which advocates for “Sustainable Cities and Communities.” This includes providing safe and affordable housing with sustainable infrastructure. He affirmed that national housing projects incorporate concepts of a green economy, smart construction technologies, and efficient energy and water consumption, all of which strengthen the nation’s capacity to tackle climate challenges and ensure comprehensive sustainability for future generations.
On the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, the winners of the GCC Housing Award for the 2024-2025 cycle were announced, focusing on digital/smart applications and technologies in housing projects and programs. The UAE secured second place for the “My Home Package” project, an innovative model for delivering integrated housing services.
Prior to the 23rd ministerial meeting, the 26th meeting of senior housing officials from the GCC was held, where his Excellency Engineer Mohammed Abdullah Al Mansoori, Director of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, led the UAE’s delegation. The meeting focused on technical cooperation and shared best practices in housing policy development and unified Gulf trends towards sustainable urban development.
Al Mansoori pointed out that the UAE continues to play a pivotal role in supporting Gulf integration initiatives, emphasizing the importance of enhancing partnerships and exchanging knowledge and expertise to serve the goals of joint Gulf efforts and contribute to the development of sustainable cities with high planning efficiency and social integration.
He highlighted the UAE’s housing experience, noting that the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme has become a leading model in the region, successfully addressing thousands of housing requests and helping Emirati families secure suitable homes for stability and well-being.
As part of the associated events, the third Gulf Housing Week included the “Gulf Housing Hackathon,” aimed at university students in the region to encourage youth innovation and present creative ideas in the fields of housing and urban planning.
Several universities from the UAE participated in the competition, including the United Arab Emirates University, Sharjah University, and Ajman University, where students showcased quality projects aligned with smart city trends, contributing innovative solutions to future challenges in the housing sector.
The UAE delegation comprised senior officials from various housing entities, including the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure through the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment, and the Sharjah Housing Department. Delegation members participated in formal sessions and workshops, which focused on showcasing successful housing experiences from the GCC countries, discussing integration opportunities, and identifying major future challenges and opportunities in this crucial sector.
The active presence of the UAE in Gulf forums reflects the country’s commitment to supporting joint Gulf initiatives and sharing experiences to cultivate a sustainable urban environment that ensures the welfare of Gulf citizens and enhances the competitiveness of cities in the region.